Updated: Verizon, Sprint Tee up Motorola's RAZR2

Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:44AM EDT

See Comments (11)

Looks like Verizon Wireless will be the first U.S. carrier to launch Moto's new RAZR2, a phone that the troubled handset maker hopes will revive the tired RAZR line. Update: Not long after Verizon's news, Sprint upped the ante by announcing it will have the RAZR2 available online this month, for $50 less than Verizon's version.

Verizon announced today that the Linux-based, stainless-steel phone will arrive in the carrier's lineup next month, for $300 with a two-year service agreement. Meanwhile, Sprint has just announced that its RAZR2 will go on sale August 22 for $250.

I had a chance to check out the RAZR2 in May, when it was first announced by Motorola, and came away impressed—surprisingly so, since I'd pretty much written off the seemingly exhausted RAZR brand. The RAZR2's stainless-steel, cast-aluminum shell made a big impression; it really is a gorgeous phone, slimmer than the older RAZRs, and it also has a jumbo two-inch external screen. The RAZR2 will be the first of its kind to come with a Linux-based OS, and it will also come with Moto's new "Crystal Talk" technology, which promises to improve call quality (I'll see how it works once I get one in for testing). 3G data support, a two-megapixel camera, Windows Media Player synching, and support for stereo Bluetooth headsets round out the features.

Of course, what I'll really be looking for from Verizon Wireless's version of the RAZR2 is a cool interface. Verizon has a bad habit of taking snazzy new phones and saddling them with a generic, static menu system. LG phones in Verizon's lineup have fared somewhat better—the LG Chocolate and VX8700 handsets in particular had impressive, animated interfaces that truly dazzled—so hopefully Verizon will follow suit with the RAZR2.

So what about you? Are you eager to try out the RAZR2, or have you had it with RAZRs?

Yet another update: Now comes word that AT&T is jumping aboard the bandwagon with the RAZR2 V9, an HSDPA variant of the phone (available in September for $300 with a two-year service agreement), with more carriers expected to announce shortly.

Related:
Press release [Verizon Wireless]
Press release [Sprint]
Press release [AT&T]

Comments on Updated: Verizon, Sprint Tee up Motorola's RAZR2

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  • 1 Posted by matt_archbold2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ive never owned a razr. They just dont seem all that good. Ive had friends that have owned the many diffrent flavors of the razr, but none have really made me want to go buy one. I do have verizon wireless and might go take a look at one when the rebates start rolling in. The 2 inch front screen does look nice, but for me, it comes down to the signal and the talk quality. Anything extra is just that.

  • 2 Posted by gold6936608 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    As a stock holder in Motorola lets hope it does well.

  • 3 Posted by mld24680 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Inside the RAZR is sharp and clear but take it outside and you can barely make out the screen. I hope that the new one has improved drastically otherwise Moto is doomed! My contract is almost up and I am looking forward to a new phone and I doubt that it will be MOto unless major improvements have been made!

  • 4 Posted by zzralstin@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had 3 Sprint Samsung A900's, and none of them worked right, so I went with the new KRZR. About 6 months later, I'm on my 3RD! KRZR by the end of my first year of my two-year contract. When I really think about it though, I love my KRZR because the text messaging is really great for me and Bluetooth quality is excellent with headsets and Macs. Of course, it was designed for that purpose, and not file sharing with other phones. But my current KRZR hasn't disappointed me at all, and I'm willing to bet that the new Sprint version will work great. I can hardly imagine better call quality because mine is great. AT&T won't get much $$$ for it due to the iPhone, Verizon is not as great due to bad OS interfaces, and T-Mobile announced getting one (or so I heard), but it won't have 3G. If Sprint really tries, I bet they can bring the RAZR some new fame, even though their V3m's and KRZR's aren't perfect. Moto will do good on this one.

  • 5 Posted by derrickcorrigan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    Motorola make the most godawful looking phones. While most phone makers have been constantly pumping out fashionable models and constantly upping the design benchmark, Motorola designers seem to be stuck firmly in the early 90's. Maybe I'm a little spoilt for choice living in the UK, but I don't know anyone that has owned a Motorola for years. Motorola has a long way to go before they catch up with the likes of LG and Samsung.

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